James 3

The Tongue Is a Fire

11Do not become teachers in large numbers, 2my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a 3stricter judgment. 2For we all 4stumble in many ways. 5If anyone does not stumble in 6what he says, he is a 7perfect man, able to 89rein in the whole body as well. 3Now 10if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it 11boasts of great things.

12See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6And 13the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among 14our body’s parts as that which 15defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our 16life, and is set on fire by 1718hell. 7For every 19species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 20race. 8But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of 21deadly poison. 9With it we bless 22our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, 23who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11Does a spring send out from the same opening both 24fresh and bitter water? 1225Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce 26fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13Who among you is wise and understanding? 27Let him show by his 28good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter 29jealousy and 30selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against 31the truth. 15This wisdom is not that which comes down 32from above, but is 33earthly, 3435natural, 36demonic. 16For where 37jealousy and 38selfish ambition exist, 39there is disorder and every evil thing. 17But the wisdom 40from above is first 41pure, then 42peace-loving, 43gentle, 44reasonable, 45full of mercy and good fruits, 4647impartial, free of 48hypocrisy. 18And the 49fruit of righteousness is sown in peace 50by those who make peace.